Sir Keith O'Nions appointed Director of new security research institute at Imperial College

Press release from Imperial College London

Sir Keith O'Nions has been appointed to set up and develop a new Institute for Security Science and Technology at Imperial College London, it is announced today [22 July 2008].

The aim of the new Institute will be to apply Imperial's leading edge science to develop new technologies for increased safety and security in society.

The Institute will seek to improve security across a range of scales, from protecting the individual to ensuring the security of whole populations. For example, its research will include ways to prevent identity theft and document fraud, as well as safeguarding transport infrastructure, energy supplies and communication networks. 

Under the leadership of Sir Keith, former Director General of Science and Innovation in the Government's Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills, the Institute will bring together scientists and engineers at Imperial to develop novel ways of solving security problems in these areas.

Sir Keith said: "Individuals, communities, businesses and governments are facing new security challenges in many aspects of everyday life, due to advances in technology, globalisation and living in a more interconnected world.

"Imperial College has a large number of world-leading researchers whose work could be applied to these challenges, and I'm delighted, as first Director of the Institute for Security Science and Technology, to have the opportunity to work with them to identify new ways of using their skills to meet a real need in society."

Current research underway at Imperial that could be used to develop new technologies for safety and security includes:

• Using unique 'fingerprints' formed by microscopic surface imperfections on all paper documents, plastic cards and packaging to prevent fraud and increase security for a range of items including passports, pharmaceutical packaging and credit cards.

• Assessing and managing biosecurity risks, ranging from the deliberate release of biological agents and toxins, to the introduction of non-native species and agricultural pests to the environment.

Sir Keith's first task in his new role will be to analyse present and future threats to safety and security, to examine how science and technology is currently being used to tackle these threats, and to consider potential areas for technological development.

Sir Roy Anderson, Rector of Imperial College London, welcomed Sir Keith's appointment, saying: "Security and safety is at the top of everyone's agenda now more than ever before. Fundamental research carried out here at Imperial has the potential to be applied in diverse real-world applications to improve safety and security, and having Sir Keith here to drive this important initiative forward is great news for the College."